In Himachal Pradesh, Congress-BJP workers and officials are face to face in the name of help after the heavy rains and disaster that occurred in the state this year. Statements are being made from both sides. That means politics is happening even in disaster. On the other hand, the state government has urged the central government that there has been huge loss of government and private property in Himachal. Nearly five hundred people have lost their lives in the accident, hence it should be declared a national disaster.
In this copy, we will know that what will be the benefit to Himachal Pradesh if the Central Government declares it a national disaster? What are the provisions for this in the Disaster Management Act 2005? How does the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) work? What is State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)? How are National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) helpful during disasters?
Why the demand to declare national disaster?
In fact, Himachal Pradesh government has already declared disaster state. Now there is a demand from the PM to declare it a national disaster. If the Center recognizes it as a national disaster then the state will be able to get some additional financial help. This work has to be done by the National Disaster Management Authority, whose head is the Prime Minister of the country. This is because the Disaster Management Act 2005 is silent here. It does not guide which damage should be declared a national disaster and which should be considered a state disaster?
Only two organizations have the power to declare any natural or man-made disaster as a state or national disaster. National Disaster Management Authority and State Disaster Management Authority, headed by the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of the states respectively. National Disaster Response Force has also been formed to help the common people during disasters.
What is National Disaster Relief Fund and State Disaster Relief Fund?
Both these organizations have been established through the Disaster Management Act 2005. The National Disaster Relief Fund has been able to help the state in case of loss of serious nature, but only when the State Disaster Relief Fund does not have sufficient funds. As a rule, the National Disaster Relief Fund works as a supplementary organization to the State Disaster Relief Fund. The rule is that the Central Government will provide financial assistance to the State Disaster Relief Fund.
The Center will give 90 percent of the amount to the fund of North-Eastern and other Himalayan states and there is a provision to give 75 percent of the amount to the fund of the remaining states of the country. In this way, the states will arrange the remaining 10 and 25 percent amount from their own sources. The National Disaster Management Authority says that in the event of a disaster, the main responsibility for rescue, relief and rehabilitation rests with the state governments, but the central government can help in this as per the need. There are rules to use the State Disaster Relief Fund for immediate relief on things like cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, hailstorm, landslide, cloud burst, insect attack on crops, sheet wave etc.
The process of disaster relief in the country is like this
The state government will submit its report to the Centre, in which the damage caused to government and private properties in the state will be assessed. There will also be figures of casualties. As per the claim in the context of Himachal Pradesh, the government has told the Center that property worth more than Rs 10,000 crore and about five hundred lives have been lost in the state.
After the representation, a central team will go to inspect the spot, which will also include experts from different fields. This team will assess the loss and then on the basis of this report, relief amount will be sanctioned if needed.
The Disaster Management Section of the Home Ministry will also assist the state in this and will also take the responsibility of monitoring the use of funds.
As per requirement, institutions like Finance Commission can also come forward to provide financial help.
After declaring a national disaster, citizens will be able to get immediate relief from loan recovery. If needed, there is a provision to give new loan at concessional rate. In case of state disaster, states postpone recovery of their funds.
National Disaster Response Force has been formed to help in case of disaster in the country. Battalions of this organization working under the supervision of the Union Home Ministry have been established in different parts of the country, which are ready to help in case of serious disaster.
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